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“Neal,” she said gently, “even if I agreed to make that claim – wouldn’t they check it out? Wouldn’t they check to see if I anant?”

“They would,” Neal said calmly

Elena raised her eyebroaiting for him to explain to her how this plan could possibly work

“I’nant, Neal” Elena said slowly, so that it would sink in

“I know that,” Neal replied “I anant”

Elena stood in shock, frozen in place When she had finally recovered from the audacity of his words, she looked at him ariness

“I think you should leave now, Neal,” she said as gently as she could e

“Elena, please…"

She had reached the edge of her patience “You want nant,” she said skeptically, “so that you can keep your company?”

Neal tried to keep his voice cal that would induce Elena to think the sae favor, but he illing to make it worth her while

“Elena, just listen”

“No, you listen!” Elena said insistently, “I don’t want a baby I don’t want to be a mother--”

“I’ently, “I’ate Once the baby is born, I will be the child’s legal guardian You can relinquish all parental rights to me”

Elena fixed him with an intense stare

“Who’s going to be the sperm donor, Neal?” she asked pointedly